eNewsletter - January 25, 2008
Executive Committee Makes Two
Endorsements in Busy Election Season
The Executive Committee voted unanimously last week to make two endorsements in the busy 2008 election season. For the February ballot, the EC voted to endorse San Francisco Proposition A, the Park Bond which will provide vital funds through a bond measure to improve and maintain the San Francisco Park system.
The other endorsement was for Jim Prola who is running for a City Council seat in San Leandro and has been a strong supporter of worker rights issues.
San Francisco members: Look for a separate email with information on Prop. A including volunteer opportunities and other information related to this ballot measure.
Delegate Assembly Coming Soon!
Be sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Delegate Assembly on February 2, 2008. Including in the agenda is an interesting panel discussion of bargaining tactics and an update on the Political Schedule for this coming year.
Equity Adjustment Training series
Local 21Õs 900 members in the City of Oakland are preparing to bargain their first MOU in six years. After a series of ÔKnow Your ContractÕ workshops this past Fall, interested members are now participating in a two-part Equity Adjustment Training Series. Over 60 members attended the introductory session held on January 14th. A more in-depth training session for members interested in pursuing equity adjustments will be held this Wednesday, January 30th from 5-7 pm in City Hall Hearing Room 3. All participants will receive a copy of Local 21Õs new manual, ÒMaking the Case for Equity Adjustments.Ó To attend on January 30th, please RSVP to subha@ifpte21.org or vcarson@ifpte21.org.
Oakland Contract Campaign Kick-Off
On Monday, January 7 Local 21's South Bay leadership attended a training session by Working Partnerships Policy Director and former City Budget Director, Bob Brownstein. The training covered the Nuts and Bolts of the City's budget. Bob Brownstein was the San Jose City Budget Director and is now employed by the Working Partnerships organization, which does research and advocacy work in the south bay on a wide range of issues.
Another Exemplary Pay Grievance Settled in San Francisco
Local 21 and the Assessors office have reached an agreement that commits them to retroactively consider all (whoever we represent) for exemplary pay for 2006-07. The agreement follows similar agreements reached with other departments who failed to implement the special pay provision as provided for in Local 21's collective bargaining agreement with the city.
Local 21 is pleased that we were able to quickly resolve the grievance, and will do whatever we can to assist the department in implementing the settlement. Local 21 Executive Director Bob Muscat added that "Merit pay and exemplary pay programs often fail because of the employer's inability to administer the program in a competent fashion. These program sound great - reward you best and brightest - but they are often beyond an employer's capacity and when poorly executed, can do more harm than good to employee morale. In the cases we are pursuing, major departments were unable to even start the process, missing an entire year although contractually obligated to implement the program."
After more than a year, several departments tried could not even complete the first step - develop criteria to judge who was exemplary. While you would expect start up problems in the first year of any new program, the fact that some key departments completely ignored the exemplary program and others were unable to complete the first step, concerns us about the success of the program going forward.
Alameda Labor Council Hosting Series of Endorsement Meetings
The Central Labor Council of Alameda County will be hosting a series of endorsement meetings in the coming weeks addressing many of the local races coming up this year.
- San Leandro - On February 6, 2008 there will be a 'Meet the Candidates' for the San Leandro City Council. Interviews begin at 5:30 p.m. with a caucus beginning at 5:00 p.m.
- Assembly Districts 14, 15/ Senate District 9 - A 'Meet the Candidates' for California state offices will be held on February 9, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
- Hayward - On February 13, 2008 there will be a 'Meet the Candidates' for the Hayward City Council. Interviews begin at 5:30 p.m. with a caucus beginning at 5:00 p.m.
- Oakland - On February 20, 2008 there will be a 'Meet the Candidate' for the Oakland City Council. Interviews begin at 5:30 p.m. with a caucus beginning at 5:00 p.m.
IFPTE Annual Scholarship Coming Up
IFPTE will be awarding its annual scholarships this spring to honor children of IFPTE members who wish to continue their education beyond high school. Three scholarships of $2,500 are available to any child or grandchild of current IFPTE members who are seniors this school year may apply. Applications are due by March 15, 2008.
For more information on criteria and eligibility, please visit: ifpte.org
Local 21 Website Has New Page on Pension Information -
New Look Coming Soon!
Check out the new page on our website which provides information on pensions and retirement related items. We are currently negotiating and preparing for negotiations in many different jurisdictions and employers in many areas are eyeing retirement benefits as a possible way to cut costs. Check out the new page at: Retirement Resources
Also check out the new and improved website for Local 21 at: ifpte21.org
L21 Express is the bi-weekly email publication of IFPTE Local 21. Local 21 represents more than 7,000 Bay Area professional public employees. Main Office Phone: 415.864.2100 South Bay Phone: 408.291.2200
